| MINUTES: November 4, 2002
6:00 pm
2530 Arnold Drive
The Bay Room
Martinez, CA
 Item 1.0 – Call to Order.
The meeting was called to order at 6:17 p.m. Item 2.0 – Roll Call.
Commissioners in attendance:
Maria Theresa Viramontes-Campbell, Dr. Michael Zwerdling, Violet Smith, Dr. Paula Moten-Tolson, Supervisor Mark De Saulnier for Supervisor John Gioia, Mary Foran for Dr. William Walker, Tony Colón Alternates in attendance:
Susan Wittenberg, Ronda Garcia, Barbara Langsdale, Pat Stroh Item 3.0 – Welcome, purpose of the day. Item 3.1 – Approve minutes for October 7, 2002 and October 21, 2002 meetings. Item 3.2 – Review, Discuss and Acknowledge Financial Reports for September 2002. Item 3.3 – Executive Committee Report.
Vice Chair Moten-Tolson informed the Commission that the following items were discussed: - Received an update on the Grand Jury inquiry. The Commission has been asked to be present before the Grand Jury in November.
- Discussed and developed the Agenda for the November Commission meeting.
A motion was made and seconded to approve Item 3.0-Consent Items. The Commission voted and approved the stated motion. Item 4.0 - Executive Director’s Report.
Brenda Blasingame updated the Commission on the following items: - October Children & Families Association Commissioner meeting update
A session was held for Commissioners regarding California’s fiscal outlook and what it means to Prop 10. The State Commission tool for Prop 10 fiscal forecasting was previewed.
- Update on Family Resource and Learning Centers strategy
The staff person in charge of Family Resource and Learning Centers is no longer working for the Commission. Meetings have continued to take place throughout the county and have reached over 1000 people. Meetings have been held in Spanish, English, Vietnamese, Lao, and Mien. The monument corridor area is moving forward with their planning process.
- Update on Early Childhood Education Strategy
The Early Childhood Education (ECE) Think Tank took place October 8, 2002 and was the kickoff for the Commission’s ECE strategy. An ECE Summit will be held January 9 and 10, 2003 with approximately 80-100 people invited. Those invited will include various stakeholder groups, teachers, providers, parents, family based child care, foster parents, teen parents, community based organizations, school districts, and kindergarten-third grade teachers. The purpose of the summit will be for participants to discuss how the Commission’s funds can best be spent. Recommendations will be brought to the Program and Evaluation Committee who will then make a recommendation to the full Commission.
Regarding the school readiness initiative, both Mt. Diablo School District and West Contra Costa School District will submit their applications for the December deadline.
- Update on Family Friendly Community Grants Program
Applications are due December 2, 2002. Applicants will be required to attend an informational workshop in order to submit an application. Staff will also provide technical assistance to assist people in completing the grant application. Item 5.0 - Committee and Program Updates. Item 5.1 - Program and Evaluation Committee. a. Ready Set Read Grants. Lisa Johnson reviewed the staff report with the Commission. Commission Colón made the following statement:
I have an interest in this agenda item because I am employed by the Contra Costa County Community Services Department, and that department is directly involved in this proposed contract or grant. I will abstain from all participation on this matter. Alternate Stroh made the following statement:
I have an interest in this agenda item because I am employed by the Contra Costa County Community Services Department, and that department is directly involved in this proposed contract or grant. I will abstain from all participation on this matter. Supervisor De Saulnier made the following:
I have an interest in this agenda item because I am employed by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors and receive salary and reimbursement for expenses form the County. However, I am not legally prohibited from voting on this mater. Alternate Foran made the following statement:
I have an interest in this agenda item because I am employed by the Contra Costa County Health Services Department and receive salary and reimbursement for expenses form the County. However, I am not legally prohibited from voting on this mater. Consider the following recommendation: To approve funding for sixty-one (61) grants in the total amount of $142,500.00 for Ready Set Ready grantees. Motion made and seconded to approve funding for sixty-one (61) grants in the total amount of $142,500.00 for Ready Set Ready grantees. The Commission voted and approved the stated motion. b. Update on Grantee activities The Commission received an update from Sandra Steiner, Martinez Library, a 2002 Ready Set Read grantee. Item 5.2 - Commission Events Calendar.
The Commission received the most recent events calendar. Shawn Garcia will correct the start time for the PEC meeting November 13, 2002, to be 11:00 am. Public Comment.
The Commission received no public comment. Item 6.0 – Follow-up to Budget Retreat.
Brenda Blasingame reminded the Commission of the timetable outlined during the October 21, 2002 meeting, as listed in the meeting minutes. She informed the Commission that included in the packet is a process map, the sustainability fund spreadsheet, and a letter from the County Administrator John Sweeten. A status check report will be given to the Commission prior to the meeting in January. Chairman Cullen asked the Commission to use the morning’s discussion to identify issues to take forward for Commission consideration and discussion. Item 7.0 – Nominations Committee.
Brenda Blasingame informed the Commission that the Nominations Committee will be requesting the Commission to vote and elect a Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary/Treasurer for the year 2003. The Commission will vote on the officers at the January 2003 meeting. Item 8.0 – Communications.
The Commission received no communications. Item 7.0 – Adjourn.
The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m. |